Fujifilm XF1: Amongst the best image quality for compact or high-end compact cameras

The XF1 utilizes Fujifilm’s EXR sensor technology, where the standard pixel configuration is rotated 45 degrees, which, Fujifilm claims, enhances resolution. With the camera set to EXR on the Mode Dial, the sensor intelligently switches between 3 EXR Modes, depending on the scene and available light:

Dynamic Range, or DR Mode, where half the pixels are underexposed. True resolution is divided in two, but a specific demosaicing process renders a full resolution image with wider Dynamic Range.

High Sensitivity, or SN Mode, where pixel fusion technology “mixes” pixels of the same color maintaining the full resolution, but with greater sensitivity.

High Resolution, or HR Mode, where all the pixels are exposed at the same level, rendering a “true” full resolution image.

To ensure a fair comparison with sensors from other manufacturers however, DxOMark presents Sensor Scores for the Fujifilm XF1 using a normal exposure mode and not EXR Mode.

Fujifilm’s XF1 utilizes a 12-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor that can intelligently switch between three different EXR modes based on the scene and lighting to improve either Dynamic Range, Sensitivity or Resolution.

With a DxOMark Overall Score of 49, the 12-megapixel 2/3rd-inch EXR sensor ranks in 177th place for all sensor on the database, and 12th for compacts and high-end compacts, showing us the Fujifilm XF1 has a great place amongst the pocket sized competition.

A Portrait (Color Depth) Score of 20.5 bits ranks 171th overall, 10th for compacts and demonstrates the XF1’s ability to capture great color at base ISO.

For Landscape (Dynamic Range), a score of 11.2Evs places the XF1 ranks 115th overall, and 13th for compacts.

Its Sports (Low-light ISO) Score of 199 ISO is 174th overall, but the best ranking for the XF1 in the compact category where it finishes in 9th. Whilst its ISO performance is strong amongst its peers, its score is too low to achieve good image quality under low-light conditions, and at high ISOs like ISO 3200 the XF1 drops below 18dB for SNR 18%.

Ranking in 12th place overall for all compact and high-end compacts on the DxOMark database the Fujifilm XF1 puts in a strong performance against its direct competitors.

Despite ranking 9th for Sports (Low-light ISO) amongst compact cameras the 2/3-inch sensor has a poor Signal to Noise Ratio of less than 20 dB at the maximum ISO3200 sensitivity.

Further readings for the Fujifilm XF1 review: Stylish, creative controls and image quality amongst the best compacts

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

The enthusiast compact sector has undergone a distinct revival in recent years, with every major manufacturer now producing a model or two that offers full manual control and RAW format recording, aimed as a second camera for enthusiasts who usually carry an SLR. These cameras have generally fallen into two distinct camps - those featuring either fast lenses or long zooms with lots of external controls, and smaller-bodied 'shirt pocket' cameras. The latter category was more-or-less owned by Canon for several years with its S-series compacts such as the Powershot S100, but has recently been shaken-up by the arrival of the Sony Cyber-Shot RX-100 with its relatively large 1"-type sensor. Now it welcomes a new contender - the Fujifilm XF1.

Comments

Lens performance for compact cameras

Lenses are often quite weak on compact cameras. However DXOmark publishes score for the sensor only. Is it possible to draw any conclusion from this measurement as to the photographic quality of the camera including the lens ? Do you plan to test the combination of lens and sensor as you do for DSLR ? Thank you for your reply.

First replies for this comment

Re: Lens performance for compact cameras

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

Actually we measured some lenses for compacts (Canon G1X and Sony RX1), but it is not systemically performed (it would take a lot of time and we are not sure that this could be the first priority for our reader).

However we should publish soon an in depth analysis of the Nikon Coolpix A lens for instance...

Re: Lens performance for compact cameras

Hello, Thank you for your reply but I was actually referring to compact cameras with a fixed lens such as Canon G15, Panasonic LX7 or Nikon Coolpix P7700. As the user does not have the choice of lenses, the score and measurement for the sensor only do not help much if the lens is weak.Since there is only one lens to test for such a camera, I think the workload for your test team would be minimal, and you would please a lot of enthusiasts who like to carry an expert point and shoot compact camera in addition to their DSLR gear.Best regards.

Re: Lens performance for compact cameras

Hello,Since I have had no answer to my previous post, I turn it into a question. Maybe I will be more lucky...Do you plan to test the combination of sensor and lens for Canon G15, Panasonic LX7 or Nikon Coolpix P7700 ?Thank you for your reply.

Lens performance on Enthusiast Compacts?

Thank you for another useful review. I often refer to your reviews when looking to make a new purchase, particularly for lenses. I note that DXO generally does not review a lens on compact enthusiast cameras. Most photographers, myself included believe the lens has a larger impact on final image quality than the sensor. I am sure the DXO testing experts would agree that a great sensor provides little value when pared with a dull lens with high distortion, vignetting and Chr. aberration. Image Quality is very important when comparing enthusiast cameras, please provide lens performance in future reviews.

Re: Lens performance on Enthusiast Compacts?

Once again the same repeated arrogance

You don't need to judge what's fair and not. This is so strange you think EXR Modes are cheat or unfair? Even if so, you can keep your combined score and comparison with the standard mode, but still mention how much DR and ISO performace improves in the respective priority modes.

First replies for this comment

Re: Once again the same repeated arrogance

The EXR modes have no effect on the raw sensor data. By combining the data from neighbouring pixels they achieve final output JPEGs with extended DR or lower noise levels, but with half the resolution.Since DxO analyze undemosaiced (unconverted) raw files, but not JPEGs, their tests cannot take the EXR modes in consideration.

First replies for this comment

Re: EXR score

Hi,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

DxOMark score focuses on the sensor only. In the case of the EXR sensor, both modes available do not change anything on the sensor itself.If EXR mode is activated, it only underexposes one half of the image. The pixel quality is not impacted. So on a sensor point of view the potential gain in dynamic is compensated by the loss in resolution.In JPEG, and with a specific algorithm, some potential gain could be observed but we do not evaluate final images here.

EXR scoring

"To ensure a fair comparison with sensors from other manufacturers however, DxOMark presents Sensor Scores for the Fujifilm XF1 using a normal exposure mode and not EXR Mode."

Why not present both scores - with EXR and without - but use traditional scores in comparisons against others? I think it would be fair for the consumers to know what can be achieved with different approaches.

First replies for this comment

Re: EXR scoring

Hi,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

DxOMark score focuses on the sensor only. In the case of the EXR sensor, both modes available do not change anything on the sensor itself.If EXR mode is activated, it only underexposes one half of the image. The pixel quality is not impacted. So on a sensor point of view the potential gain in dynamic is compensated by the loss in resolution.In JPEG, and with a specific algorithm, some potential gain could be observed but we do not evaluate final images here.